Walker County Emergency Management will host a free community weather awareness event early next month to inform residents about the many ways they can protect themselves and their families during times of severe weather.
First responders will be on hand from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3rd at the Cedar Grove Community Center (5395 West Cove Road, Chickamauga) to discuss the benefits of utilizing a weather radio and the county’s SirenGPS notification system. Free weather radios will also be available on a first come, first served basis.
“We’re partnering with the Cedar Grove community to prepare residents for potential weather threats through early notification announcements,” said Blake Hodge, Emergency Management Director. “We hope other communities will see the benefits, so we can expand this effort across Walker County this year.”
First responders will be available to program weather radios to receive local alerts, as well as walk smartphone users through the process of setting up the SirenGPS app to receive text and notifications for Walker County from the National Weather Service. Additionally, those who do not own a smartphone can register to receive an automated phone call on a landline.
Walker County Fire Rescue will also schedule appointments to install free smoke alarms during this event. The department has installed more than 1,800 free smoke alarms over the past five years, as a community service in partnership with the American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia. The free smoke alarm program has proven to be a lifesaver, alerting a number of residents to a fire in their home.
The free weather awareness event is being held in conjunction with the Cedar Grove Community Club’s Wild Game Supper. The annual drop-in dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15 for adults and $5 for children.
